Chargers get a fresh start with a new coach
BY RICHARD JEROME Staff Writer
Spotswood High School's football team sports a new look this year, not only on the field, after having graduated some key senior starters. but on the sidelines: The Chargers have a brand new coach, Andy Cammarano, succeeding Ron Raymond, who piloted the club to a 4-6 mark last fall.

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above left, Spotswood quarterback C.J. Mooney looks to avoid a tackler during a recent scrimmage against South Plainfield in Spotswood. Above, John Hammon wraps up a Tiger ball-carrier for a loss.

An English teacher at Shore Regional High School, Cammarano coached linebackers and offensive lines there. In fact, there's something of a Cammarano dynasty at Shore: Andy's father, Nick, is a former head coach who posted an 11-0 record in 1981; his brother, Nick Jr. is a former assistant who's now joining Andy at Spotswood.

Last year was a bit of a disappointment for Spotswood, which got off to a strong first half of the campaign, breaking from the gate with three victories, then slumped, losing several lopsided games. Cammarano has some definite plans for his new contingent, which opens tomorrow at home against Dunellen at 1 p.m.

"We're looking to begin a tradition at Spotswood that is both positive and successful," he says. "I told the kids at the start of the summer: We are not rebuilding. We want success now."

Cammarano praises his team's commitment to its summer conditioning program, as well as the leadership of his three senior tricaptains - quarterback and outside linebacker C.J. Mooney (6-0, 185), tight end and inside linebacker T.J. Snook (5-11, 215), who was fourth on the team with 20 tackles last year, and twoway tackle Mike Catanzaro (6-0, 285).

"They did a tremendous job setting an example for the underclassmen," says the coach.

Aside from Mooney and Snook, the returning starters are senior linebacker Dave Lynch (5-9, 180) who had 16 tackles and an interception last fall, Joe Reid (5- 10, 185) a senior center, linebacker and punter; and junior running back Joe Petosa (5-9, 185, who led the team in allpurpose yards with 316, including 175 yards on the ground, and 106 on kick returns, as well as a 26-yard interception and a 9-yard pass reception.

Other players to watch include junior John Hamann (6-0, 215) an offensive guard and defensive end, and A.J. Knibbs, a junior wide receiver and defensive back, who stands 6-2 and weighs in at 180.

Strategically speaking, Cammarano plans to run the Delaware Wing-T and the 4-4 defense. Aside from his brother, who coaches the quarterbacks and secondary, he is assisted by Kyle Harkins (running backs, outside linebackers), Sal Fama (tight ends and inside linebackers), Jeff Ternyla, who watches over the wide receivers, and freshman coaches Tim Retzlaff and Dan Osofsky.

The Chargers are hoping for a fast start like last season's. However, they're also hoping to maintain that solid play in the week's that follow.